§ 19. Mrs. Joyce Butlerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now implement those recommendations of the Littlewood Committee which do not require legislation.
§ Miss BaconA scheme for strengthening the Inspectorate is being examined. Proposals for a new Advisory Committee will shortly be put to interested bodies.
§ Mrs. ButlerAs the Littlewood Committee reported more than a year ago and selected these two points as being particularly urgent and capable of implementation without legislation, would my right hon. Friend undertake to do something about increasing the Inspectorate, if possible within the next few weeks, because this is much the most urgent matter?
§ Miss BaconI could not say exactly when we shall do this. As my hon. 882 Friend knows, because she was a member of the Littlewood Committee, my right hon. Friend has to consult interested bodies. Of the 40 bodies consulted, seven have not yet forwarded their general comments. We want to get on with this as quickly as possible.
§ Mr. HoggWhy does the right hon. Lady preoccupy herself so closely with that in this Committee's Report which does not require legislation? Surely this is yet another example—the third this afternoon—of the Home Office being made the Cinderella of the Departments by this Government when beneficial or valuable legislation could be brought forward?
§ Miss BaconThe right hon. and learned Gentleman is mistaken. I did not choose to concern myself with that which does not require legislation. The right hon. and learned Gentleman will find on reading the Question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Wood Green (Mrs. Joyce Butler) that she specifically asked about that part of the Littlewood Committee's recommendations which does not require legislation.